What makes greatness is starting something that lives on after you.
It was in 2003 in the United Kingdom where Walter’s leasing journey began and after key discussions with Earl Bathurst and Lord Apsley about how he could utilise his family’s biggest commodity, land, to stabilise and secure his community now and into the future came to culmination.
It was from here that he then met Hon. Mal Brough MP, then Minister for Indigenous Affairs, and after many meetings established that the Tiwi people wanted to build, participate in, and control their own economy. What was to follow was not easy but like all resilient leaders he pledged to see the historic landmark of the first Township Lease signed in August 2007.
It took a brave leader, one from such humble beginnings, to have the foresight to take his land and maximise its resources and opportunities whilst never losing focus on the need to maintain the importance of the deep spiritual connection the Tiwi people have for their traditional lands where life and law is governed and identity and belonging are crucial.
His actions will be engrained and his memory will live on for many generations to come.
